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Professor/Associate Professor in Robotic Manipulation and Grasping

Employer
UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN
Location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
Salary
£51,034 to £59,135 per annum
Closing date
17 Jan 2020

Job Details

Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology

Location:  Lincoln
Closing Date:   Friday 17 January 2020
Interview Date:   To be confirmed

The University is seeking to appoint a full Professor or Associate Professor in robotic manipulation and grasping within Lincoln Agri-Robotics. Candidates should have outstanding technical expertise in robotics and a strong interest in applying their research to the agri-food domain, with a particular focus on automated selective harvesting of high-value crops.

This post will help to provide the leadership for a new global centre of excellence for agricultural robotics located at the University of Lincoln. The investment includes capital facilities and the creation of over 20 supporting academic and technical posts. The successful candidate will play a key role in building the University’s international research reputation in agri-robotics, securing funding, leading their own team of researchers, and publishing world class research.

Applicants should have a track record of delivering internationally excellent prior research, including research funding, research management, supervision and publications, in software- and/or hardware-related areas such as (but not limited to):

  • Machine learning for manipulation
  • Grasp planning and motion planning
  • Forceful interactions and compliant control
  • Reactive grasping and tactile sensing
  • Soft-robotics and intelligent end-effector design
  • Grasping of deformable or delicate objects
  • Robotic harvesting and dextrous manipulation of food products

Lincoln Agri-Robotics expands the successful interdisciplinary collaboration between two of the University’s leading research groups: the Lincoln Institute of Agri-food Technology (LIAT) and the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems (L-CAS). The new centre offers the perfect opportunity to make a real difference to the global challenges facing crop-based agriculture, such as climate change, population growth, political pressures affecting migration, and the demographics of an ageing population.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the potential of their work to enable the next generation of robotic systems underpinning the agricultural systems of the future. Candidates considered for the position of Associate Professor should be able to demonstrate the ability to reach the level of a full Professor within the first three years of their appointment.

The post-holder will benefit from excellent facilities, equipment and ready-made links to our extensive network of industry partners across the entire agri-food chain. The new centre is based at the University’s 200-hectare Riseholme Campus, where researchers enjoy access to a working farm, woodlands, grasslands and watercourses, as well as our robotic fruit farm, including polytunnels and cold storage facilities. The University is also the lead institution for the new 50 PhD cohort of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics (AgriFoRwArdS), with partners at the Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia. State-of-the-art equipment available for our research includes advanced robotic manipulators and mobile robots, such as Franka arms and our fleet of Thorvald robots; advanced sensing, imaging and camera technologies; and excellent links to industrial facilities and test environments.

Please contact the University’s appointed adviser, Imogen Wilde, at Anderson Quigley on +44(0)7864 652 633 for an informal conversation about this opportunity. Alternatively for further information, please contact Lincoln Agri-Robotics joint directors: Prof Simon Pearson (LIAT) or Prof Tom Duckett (L-CAS).

Associate Professor salary range: £51,034 to £59,135 per annum

Professor salary: Senior Management Group, Competitive Salary

Company

Since Her Majesty the Queen first opened the University of Lincoln, we’ve had some of the most satisfied students in the UK. And our quality of teaching and research has helped us achieve a growing and international reputation. However, with an ambition to become one of the country’s top institutions, we’re just at the start of our exciting journey.

With over 13,000 students spread across our three campuses of Brayford Pool Marina, Riseholme Park and Holbeach, we’re one of the Lincolnshire’s largest employers. We strive to provide each of our 1,500 plus members of staff a working environment where equality, respect and opportunity are core values. And, whether you’re an academic, researcher, senior manager or part of our professional support team, you’ll find a home of creativity and innovation.
 

Company info
Mini-site
UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN
Location
BRAYFORD POOL
LINCOLN
LINCOLNSHIRE
LN6 7TS
GB

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